Lip augmentation with fillers

Hyaluronic acid is suitable for smoothing and reducing wrinkles and filling the parts of the skin and subcutaneous tissue where there is a lack of tissue.

20
min

The duration of the intervention

Not necessary

Hospitalization

Not necessary

Anesthesia

Immediate

Back to work

1 – 3
weeks

Back to sport activities

Post-operative recommendations

Icing

Possible inconveniences after the procedure

Swelling, bruise.

Options for the procedure

There are several options for lip augmentation:

filling with hyaluronic acid: the results last for up to six months,

human fat: the result is partially permanent, the percentage of fat which survives varies from patient to patient.

We do not use permanent fillers (aquamid, biopolymers, silicones) as they can cause serious complications.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Filling with hyaluronic acid
Hyaulornic acid is a transparent viscose gel supplied in a sterile injection. It is a polysaccharid naturally occurring as an important constituent of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and joints. For aesthetic purposes, non-animal derived formula is used which is why it is safe and it reduces the chance for severe allergic reactions. Formulas vary from brand to brand; however, they are not particularly different regarding their risk.

Hyaluronic acid formulas in cosmetic surgery are used for enhancing the tissue volume. They are also used for smoothing and reducing wrinkles as well as filling the areas of the skin and subcutaneous tissue with the lack of tissue.

Hyaluronic acid dissolves with time and does not have a permanent effect. The durability of the effect depends on the formula itself and the body’s reaction to it. Because the body eventually decomposes hyaluronic acid, it needs to be constantly added to have a permanent effect. Hyaluronic acid formulas are often combined with other formulas (e.g. botulin) or with surgical procedures. For a less painful application, a cream with an anaesthetic in it is used or local anaesthetic injections. Hyaluronic acid formulas cause a temporary redness, swelling and tingling sensation which usually go away in a few days.

The durability of the effect depends on the formula and the body’s reaction to it.

Most patients do not develop side effects.

Inconveniences

With each procedure comes a certain level of risk. Therefore it is important that you understand and accept possible risks and complications related to it. Despite the fact that most patients do not develop side effects, it is important that you talk about risks, possible complications, limitations and consequences of hyaluronic acid use. Additional information can be found in the instructions in the formula’s packaging.

As a consequence of the hyaluronic acid injection or local anaesthesia, bleeding is possible which is usually limited and manifests as a limited bruise. In very rare cases the bleeding requires additional procedures, even surgical. For a minimum chance of complications it is important that the patient warns the doctor about any possible blood coagulation disorders and to stop taking all medications that could affect the process of blood coagulation, like aspirin, vitamin E, all gynco and other formulas 14 days before the procedure. If the patient is taking cumarins (Marivarin, Sintrom or others), replacement therapy should be introduced according to the doctor’s instructions.

The swelling usually occurs after the application of hyaluronic acid. After the application, visible piercing spots are also normal. Both occurrences disappear in a few days.

After the use of hyaluronic acid, the skin can become red on application sites which also goes away within days.

At the application sites, the surface of the skin can remain uneven, changes in the form of clods can be felt. This too disappears in time; however, an uneven surface can persist for a longer period of time, even for months.

The filler can be visible through a thin skin for a certain period of time.

Our body and its appearance are anatomically asymmetrical. Occasionally, the exact symmetry thus cannot be achieved with fillers; however, asymmetry can occur due to a different reaction of the body on one side. Correction of asymmetry can require additiona injections of hyaluronic acid.

After the procedure

After the application, the skin is more sensitive to external factors on this sites (heat, cold, UV light). Therefore, it needs to be protected from them for a few more days after the application.

During the application of hyaluronic acid or local anaesthetic, temporary or permanent damage of deeper structures – veins and nerves – can occur.

Tissue infections after the application of hyaluronic acid are very rare (less than 1 in 1.000 cases). Nevertheless, bacterial as well as viral and fungal infections can occur. Herpes can also occur (even in patients who never had it before). In persons with common herpetic infections, preventive antiviral medications can be prescribed. Any kind of infection can require additional treatment with antimicrobial medications and surgical procedures as well. This complication can cause permanently visible scar on the skin and in the subcutaneous tissue.

Possible complications

Necrosis is extremely rare complication which can cause visible scars and the need for additional surgical treatment.

Like any biological substance, hyaluronic acid can also cause allergic reaction, in the most severe cases even shock and death. Such reaction can also be a consequence of an allergy to the local anaesthetic.

After the application of hyaluronic acid, painful tightening of the subcutaneous tissue can occur rarely which can require additional treatment and surgical procedures.

In some cases, patients are not happy with the final result or its durability. It is possible that the body reacts to the filler in an unpredicted way which makes the formula to decompose too quickly. In such cases, we advise to use different fillers or different procedures to achieve the desired result.

Permanent complications due to hyaluronic acid (except the above mentioned) are not known. It is possible that some still unknown risks might show in years.

The procedure does not stop the ageing process so the skin and other tissues will continue to age and changes will occur, such as deeper wrinkles, loose tissue and changed skin surface which are not a consequence of the hyaluronic acid use but the natural ageing process and environment impact.

After the procedure, the skin needs to be protected against external factors.